Sanda Dey, Asashuni (Satkhira)

The construction work of the Dayarghat-Jelekhali sustainable dam in Asashuni Upazila Sadar has not been completed within the stipulated time even though the deadline has been extended once. As a result, the misery, distress and fear of losing homes and property due to the dam collapse of the people of the area are increasing.

With the assistance of JICA, the NTMLJV contracting company got the work with an allocation of 21 crore 92 lakh 90 thousand 150 taka under the Digistar Management Enhancement Project Component-1 BWDB Part. The work is being implemented by BISCON Ltd. Chittagong.

The work started on January 15, 2023. The period was till June 2024. 1270 meters of earthwork and block placing work were to be done on the 1270 meter dam. Including 400 meters of block and 400 meters of bag dumping, 28 thousand pitches (35 inches: 35 inches: 35 inches) of guide wall in 1270 meters and 27 thousand pitches of geo bags. But the progress of the work was disappointing at the specified time.

Then, a time extension was granted. The extension period will end on June 25. Even then, the work will not be completed. As per the progress of the work so far, 60% of the earthwork has been completed in the 1270 meters of work, 34 thousand 593 pitches out of 98 thousand 193 pitches of block dumping, 67 thousand 267 pitches are remaining. 21 thousand 593 pitches of blocks have been dumped in the river, 91 thousand 870 pitches of placing blocks, only 12 thousand 516 pitches have been prepared. 79 thousand 257 pitches are remaining. Abu Nasim, the manager of the contractor in charge, said that the placing blocks cannot be dumped as the earthwork is not completed.

The placing blocks will be dumped once the earthwork is completed. Geo bag dumping is supposed to be done in 42,955 pitches, of which 33,760 pitches have been dumped in the river. Out of the remaining 12,195 pitches, 4,000 pitches are ready. And all the geo bag placements are pending.

Various problems were hindering the progress of the work. Due to which the work was disrupted and it was not possible to complete the work within the stipulated time. They said that there was a clear shortage of sufficient land for building blocks here. Then, due to heavy rainfall last year, the place for building blocks was submerged. As a result, it was not possible to work. The work was stopped for 7 months due to political unrest. In addition, the local Nimai Mandal and Dukhiram Mandal did not allow the earth to be thrown. Moreover, due to the poor condition of the road, it became difficult to transport stones, cement, and sand. The excavator machine was obstructed on the way.

Due to the delay in completing the work, various individuals and institutions in the area are suffering in various ways. The students' frustration is being prolonged as the field of Dayarghat Government Primary School is being used for building blocks.

The construction of the new school building is facing obstacles. Various institutions, buildings, and households, including the local fish market, shops, and hatcheries, are facing problems.

All concerned have sought the intervention of the concerned authorities to remove obstacles and take measures to speed up the work to complete it quickly.